France

On most days, I find myself smiling without noticing. I spend most days doing nothing much at all: writing, reading, practicing my baby French and cooking classic French grandmother recipes. I check out new art exhibitions, I write my newspaper column, I drink sangria in backyards. I sip noisettes in cafés as I writes lists for everything I want my life to be. … [Read more...] about Paris Expat: The Reality of Life in France

After lunch, we pulled over to take pictures of ponies. Despite a valiant search, we couldn’t find any stables and thus I was unable to ride horses down the beach- which was clearly my preconceived fantasy of spending the day on a beach-filled French island. … [Read more...] about Ile de Re, France’s Most Adorable Island

Eric Tabanou, director of the France Tabac, factory in the Dordogne region of southwest France, said keeping the country's last tobacco processing site open became unviable. AFP/Mehdi FEDOUACH Anti-smoking campaigners may cheer its demise, but for its workers and local tobacco growers, the closure of the France Tabac factory after 34 years of operation is a devastating blow to the Dordogne region of southwest France. … [Read more...] about Final puffs for France”s last tobacco factory

After lunch the birthday boy offered to give me a tour of the apple orchard and barns. As he earnestly explained every detail of how the farm runs, the only phrase I picked up was, “Les pommes sont plus delicats que les oeufs,” or, “Apples are more delicate than eggs.” … [Read more...] about Two Days at a 200-Year Old French Apple Farm

But analysts say French society has become more acceptive of non-traditional families since 2012, noting for example a vote by National Assembly lawmakers last week to officially recognise the parenthood of a couple who had twins in the US via a surrogate. … [Read more...] about French to protest pro IVF law for single women, lesbians